Life Environmental Services Ltd is supporting the annual Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe Campaign from the UK Asbestos Training Association (UKATA), having pledged several hours of free training as part of the campaign designed to keep small businesses and sole traders safe from the UKs biggest workplace killer – asbestos. Now in its third year, the nationwide campaign runs from 1 September to 31 October, with free asbestos awareness training for those who need it most.

The campaign sees UKATA members pledge hours of free asbestos awareness training and has proved a real success in helping one man bands, DIY enthusiasts and others have access to training they may be unable to afford or not even realise exists. UKATA members pledged over 3,500 hours of free training in 2015 and 2016 with even more complimentary training available this year.

“As a company committed to asbestos training, we are proud to be involved in the UKATA Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe campaign,” said Stephen Howell, Training Manager, Life Environmental. “We train workers from many large organisations but ‘white van man’ can still be in the dark over asbestos, so this scheme is a practical way to tackle the lack of asbestos awareness training among ordinary traders.”

Here at Life we have been delivering asbestos training as a UKATA member since 2009 and we were keen to support the Train Safe campaign in 2017 as soon as it was brought to our attention.

“I would like to thank Life Environmental Services Ltd for backing the 2017 UKATA Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe campaign,” said Craig Evans, General Manager of UKATA. “In the last few years UKATA members have delivered 400,000 asbestos training courses but there remains a real need for essential training for all who may encounter the substance. Thousands of tradespeople have received no asbestos training and Life Environmental Services Ltd is playing a key role in helping UKATA with a ‘hands on’ approach to helping them.”

Anyone interested in applying for the free training with Life Environmental Services Ltd should contact us directly on training@lifeenvironmental.com and remember to quote the UKATA Train Safe, Work Safe, Keep Safe campaign.

Around 20 tradesmen die every week as a result of past exposure to asbestos. Damage caused to the lungs by asbestos can lay dormant for up to 60 years, with diseases like mesothelioma responsible for the death toll amongst small traders that includes eight joiners, six electricians and four plumbers.

Unwittingly coming into contact with deadly asbestos fibres can put small traders in the front line of asbestos exposure. They need support and the Train Safe campaign provides that, by removing cost as an excuse for not having the necessary training. We are proud to be playing our part in helping to cut the numbers of deaths from asbestos related diseases.